American Airlines Plane Fire Forces Emergency Evacuation of 178 Passengers at Denver Airport
A routine arrival at Denver International Airport turned chaotic when an American Airlines plane caught fire at the gate, prompting an emergency evacuation of 178 passengers.
American Airlines plane fire in Denver
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon when smoke was detected near one of the aircraft's engines while parked at the gate. Twelve passengers sustained minor injuries during the emergency slide evacuation, though none were life-threatening.
Emergency crews quickly contained the fire, and medical personnel provided immediate assistance to those affected. The aircraft, an Airbus A321, is currently under investigation by both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
BREAKING: American Airlines plane catches fire at Denver airport pic.twitter.com/DwQvCCRrNz
Eyewitnesses praised the crew's professional response during the evacuation. "The flight attendants were shouting for everyone to evacuate. It was scary, but they handled it well," one passenger reported.
While the incident caused some flight delays, Denver International Airport operations resumed shortly after. The exact cause remains under investigation, with initial reports suggesting a possible mechanical malfunction.
The FAA and NTSB continue their investigation to determine whether mechanical failure, maintenance issues, or other factors contributed to the fire. American Airlines has expressed gratitude for the emergency crews' swift response and maintains that passenger safety remains their top priority.
